From 24 October 2014, products or component part of products containing TCEP in PU foam cannot be sold on the Canadian market, if these products are intended for children under three years of age. The range of prohibited products includes, but not limiting to, toys and childcare products such as sleep positioners, nursing pillows and baby mattresses.

TCEP is an industrial chemical with flame retardant properties. It is commonly used as a plasticiser and viscosity regulator in PU, polyester resins, polyacrylates and other polymers. TCEP is considered a carcinogen and may impair fertility. As TCEP is known to be able to migrate out of foam toys and foam children’s products in response to sucking or chewing, Health Canada, the department responsible for Canada’s public health, considers children under three years of age to be at the greatest risk of adverse health effects from exposure to TCEP due to their mouthing behaviour and physical developments.